Valved piping arrangement



July 2, 1957 v. FRANTZ 2,797,705

YVALVED PIPING ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 26, 195

Inventor: Virgil L. Frantz FIG. 1

I I By his Attorney 2,797,705 Patented July 2, 1957 VALVED PIPING ARRANGEMENT Virgil L. Frantz, Salem, Va.

Application October 26, 1950, Serial No. 192,288

Claims. (Cl. 137-622) This invention pertains to a fluid pressure line and more particularly to a particular arrangement of valves therein to positively and automatically govern such fluid pressure in such line.

An object of the invention is the provision, in an air line, of control valves normally open to the atmosphere and located at spaced positions in the air line with check bleed valves intermediate the control valves and arranged to check passage of air from one control valve to another control valve.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an air line, of control valves normally open to the atmosphere and located at spaced positions in the air line with check-bleed valves intermediate the control valves and arranged to bleed the air admitted to the line from an adjacent control valve and check the passage of air from a remote control valve.

The above and numerous other objects of the invention will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a general arrangement of a fluid pressure line having associated therewith exemplifications of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical detailed sectional view of a valve embodying a part of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve shown in Figure 2 and taken along the lines 33 thereof looking in the direction of the arrows.

By now referring to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like parts, the numeral 1 is employed to designate, in a somewhat general manner, an air or fluid pressure line embodying the present invention. It has been found necessary in multiunit motive power assemblies, particularly in the railway art, to arrange such assemblies so that they may be operated from either end. Figure 1 shows somewhat of a schematic arrangement of a plurality of power units having end units 2 and 2a and intermediate units 2b with all of such units coupled together to form a single assembly. This assembly, as is well known in the art, may be operated from either the unit 2 or the unit 2a and intermediate units 2b with all of such units coupled together to form a single assembly. This assembly, as is well known in the art, may be operated from either the unit 2 or the unit 2a since both units are provided with identical controls (not shown). In such an assembly the fluid or air pressure line is, for all purposes, a single or continuous line extending from one extremity of the assembly to the other extremity thereof as clearly illustrated in Figure l. Arranged at spaced positions in the air or fluid line are control or actuating valves 3 and 3a with the former positioned in the power unit 2 and the latter positioned in the power unit 2a. These control or actuating valves may be of any type so long as it permits a blast of fluid pressure to enter the port 9 of the bleed-check valve and permits the pressure in the pipe line to bleed when the actuating valve is closed. Such a control valve is normally open to the atmosphere and when the handle 4 thereof is manipulated a surge of air or fluid pressure is permitted to pass therethrough from a suitable source of supply and enter or charge the line 1. In direct communication with the line 1 are a plurality of operating valves 5 with such valves forming a part of the sanding mechanism of the assembly and which may be and preferably are of the type illustrated, described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 722,383, filed January 16, 1947, now Patent No. 2,589,794, issued March 18, 1952. As this copending application will reveal, the air or fluid pressure in line 1 acts against a piston (not herein shown) to actuate the piston for the accomplishment of a definite purpose. For the purpose of this application there need only be taken into consideration that the air or fluid pressure does not go beyond the operating valves 5 and that the line 1, once charged remains so until the control or actuating valve is manipulated to normal position which cuts off the source of fluid pressure and normally opens the line 1 to the atmosphere.

Now it will be noted that if the line 1 had associated with it only the control or actuating valves and the operating valves, that such an arrangement would not permit the line 1 to become charged because if the assembly is operated from either extremity the control valve at that remote or opposite extremity is open to the atmosphere and the charge would merely enter the line from one control valve and escape therefrom through the other control valve and have no effect on the operating valves. Also, if the assembly is operated from one extremity, the control or actuating valve manipulated to charge the line must also vent the line so that the operating valve may function as intended or desired. Accordingly, means must be associated with the line 1 so that when one control valve is manipulated to charge the line such charge will not escape through the other or remote control valve and further such means must be so arranged and constructed that the manipulated control valve will also vent the line 1.

By referring particularly to the detailed showing of Figures 2 and 3 such a means as last referred to is exemplified by a combination check and bleed valve 6. In the illustration shown in Figure l a check and bleed valve is located in the proximity of a control or actuating valve so that a charge of fluid pressure entering the line from a control valve must first pass through a related or companion check and bleed valve before such charge may act upon pistons of any of the operating valves. In other words, a check-bleed valve is interposed between each control or actuating valve and all of the operating valves.

The check and bleed valve which will be hereinafter referred to as a check-bleed valve comprises a body 7 of somewhat cylindrical formation and having collars 8 and 8a threadedly or removably associated with opposite extremities thereof. These collars are also interiorly threaded as at 9 so that the check-bleed valve may be firmly interlocked with the fluid line and in direct fluid communication therewith. This valve under immediate consideration is provided with a forward or main chamber 10 disposed axially of the valve for a predetermined distance. It is this main chamber that is first or initially charged as the fluid pressure enters the check-bleed valve from a related or adjacent control or actuating valve. At the inner extremity of the main chamber is an integrally formed barrier or forward wall 11 forming inner limits of the forward chamber. Immediately in back of the forward wall is an intermediate chamber 12 which is defined ialong one side thereof by a rear wall 13 also formed integrally with the body. Between the rear wall and adjacent collar is a rear or auxiliary chamber 14 .and it might be here stated that it is through this rear chamber that the fluid pressure leaves the check-bleed valve to enterthefluid orair linel to act upon .the operating valves. It is intended that the -main and intermediate chambers bein full or direct communication with one another at all times and accordingly the body is provided with a convoluted portion 15 intermediate the ends and outstanding from one side of the body. Throughthis convoluted portion there extends a by-pass, conduit or orifice 16-which extends around the barrier or forward wall to negative the effect ofthis Wall so far as preventing-the passage of fluid pressure between the forward andintermediate chambers is concerned. The rear wall isf-urt-her qualified ashaving aport or opening 17 therein which formsthe onlypassageway whereby fluid pressure may pass between .the intermediate and rear chambers.

Positioned within the body and arranged to reciprocate therein axially of the body is a combination valve and differential piston arrangement or mechanism 13 which may be herein referred to as either a valve or a di erential piston. This piston has ashank or stem 19 formed intermediate the ends thereof and supported, in effect, solely by-the forward Wall since the stem extends through an axial opening 20 in this wall. Since the body is intended and designed so thatall the effective fluid pressure passing between the forward and intermediate chambers passes through the conduit or orifice surrounding the. stem, in the plane or area of the forward wall,is provided with a circumambient recess or groove, into which there is lodged a resilient ring or continuous or unintercepted collar 22. This ring and groove combination function as a seal to prevent the passage of fluid pressure between the forward and intermediate chamber along the valve stem or shank.

The piston is provided with a relatively large or operating or main head 23 of circular formation to fit neatly and be arranged to move in the forward chamber 10. This head is so arranged and disposed that the fluid pressure upon entering the main or forward chamber from an adjacent or related control valve will, as it passes into the by-pass, act upon the large or operating head to move the piston in a direction toward the rear or auxiliary chamber. In order to permit the large head to function as intended at all times it is believed desirable to provide it with some nature of a packing and thus, this head, has formed therein a .continuous circular; groove or channel 24 in which there. is lodged or depositeda rubber or re s'ilient ring 25 with this latter component being arranged to brush along the related surface of the main chamber to arrest any appreciable leak beyond the main head. It is appreciated that, possibly, some fluid may find its way beyond the ring 25 also to prevent compression of air under the head 24 and so in order to prevent a build up of pressure behind the main head under any condition a vent 26 is provided in the body, said vent being in communication with the atmosphere. Thus, the main head is designed and arranged to function fully and at all times as intended.

Disposed at an opposite end of the piston stem or shank is a smaller or 'auxiliaryhead 27 which is more .in the nature of a valve head. The auxiliary head is provided with a resilient or preferably. rubber washer 28 somewhat frusto-conical in conformation and thereby presenting an inclined face 29 arranged to contact-and bear against a correspondingly formed seat 30 appearing on the rear wall 13 about the port 17. The washer has. a backing plate 31 which in turn is retained in: operable position by means of a rotatable element orunit 32 threadedly 'associatedwith the piston stem. Since the washer andplate are sleeved over a reduced diameter portion 33 of the piston stem the auxiliary head will move with and as an integral part of the piston.

Accordingly, as 'fluidpressure is admitted to a check valve froman=adjacent control or actuating-valve, it acts upon the main head moving the piston toward the auxiliary chamber or the remote control or actuating valve. The fluid pressure then enters the by-pass to be redirected into the intermediate chamber and since the auxiliary head has then been positioned in spaced relation to its rear wall seat, the fluid pressure then passes through the port 17 and rear chamber mentor and charge the air or fluid line 1. For the purposes of illustration only the check valves are now employed in a piping arrangement wherein one hundred pounds of-fluid or air pressure is employed.

It is to be here noted that the check valve adjacent to the remote control valve has charge of fluid pressure entering the check valve through the auxiliary chamber and thus acting upon the auxiliary head to hold it firmly against its related valve seat to positively and definitely prevent or arrest the escape of fluid pressure from the line through the remote .check valve.

When oneof the operating-valves, has been brought into action and it is desired ,to-terminate such action, the control handle is manipulated to normal position so as to cut off the source of supplvand vent this control valve to the atmosphere. .Becauseof the differential of its two heads the piston will remaindisplacedfrom normal position or move toward ,theauxiliary chamber from the position illustrated in FigureZ. The residual fluid pressure built up in the line will then be free to escape therefrom through the same check valve which was instinmental in charging the line. The relationship between the valve heads, chambers and by-pass is such that substantially the full charge of fluid pressure will be permitted to escape'from the line before the valve or piston heads will again assume a normal or illustrated position. By way of illustration, in actual practice it has been found that all but approximately three pounds of fluid pressure will escape from the line and this is believed negligible since it is far less than an amount required to activate the operating valves. Thus the check valve also functions as "a bleed valve by allowing the line to be relieved of the charge of fluid pressure.

While not absolutely necessary it is believed desirable to provide some sort of resilient means for cushioning an action of the piston 'and accordingly a coil spring 34 is introduced in the bleed valve. This spring acts between the collar 8 and backing plate. 31 to urge the piston in a direction toward the main chamber. In actual practice and by way of illustration the value of the spring is in the nature of three pounds so that it will not interfere with the normal or intendedaction of the bleed valve and will possibly make theaction of the piston positive.

From the above it will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a piping arrangement having a fluid line and operating valve means communicating therewith, the combination of spaced control valves communicating with said line and each selectively settab'le for charging or venting said line, a check-bleed valve associated with each control valve and in said line between both the associated control valve and other of said control valves-and said operating valve ,means, a valve member in each of said check-bleed valves operable by a charge from the associated control valve andclosed to a charge from: said other ofsaidcontrol valves and means in each of said check-bleed valves responsive to residual pressure in said line on setting of said associated control valvefor venting said line for re tarding closing of said valve member and enabling a substantially full charge from said adjacent control valve to bleed back through said check bleed valve.

2. In a piping arrangement having a fluid line and opcrating valve means communicating therewith, the combination of spaced control valves communicating with said line, each of said control valves being selectively settable to charge or vent said line, and a check-bleed valve associated with each control valve and in said line between both the associated control valve and said operating valve means and other of said control valves, each of said check-bleed valves including a valve seat, a valve member for closing said seat and openable by a charge from the associated of said control valves, yieldable means acting on said valve member in a direction opposing a charge from said associated control valve for normally maintaining said valve seat closed and preventing passage of a charge therethrough from the other of said control valves, and means on said valve member presenting to fluid in said line when said check-bleed valve is open a surface area of said valve member greater in said direction of action of said yieldable means than in the opposite direction for exertion therethrough by said fluid of a force opposing said yieldable means, said opposing force retarding closing of said valve member and enabling substantially all of the charge from the adjacent control valve to bleed back through the check-bleed valve on setting of said associated control valve to vent said line.

3. In a piping arrangement having a fluid line and operating valve means communicating therewith, the combination of a pair of control valves communicating with said line at spaced terminals thereof, and a check-bleed valve associated with each control valve and in said line between both said associated control valve and said operating valve means and other control valve, said check-bleed valve including a valve seat, a double-headed piston reciprocable to close and open said valve seat, yieldable means acting on said piston in a direction opposing a charge from the associated of said control valves for normally maintaining said piston in seat-closing position and closing said check-bleed valve to a charge from the other of said control valves, and a duct bypassing one of said heads for presenting to fluid in said line on opening of said check-bleed valve 2. surface area of said heads greater in a direction toward than away from said associated control valve for exertion therethrough by said fluid of a [force opposing said yieldable means, said opposing force.

retarding closing of said check-bleed valve and enabling substantially the full charge from said adjacent control valve to bleed back through said check-bleed valve on setting of said adjacent control valve to vent said line.

4. In a piping arrangement having a fluid line and op erating valve means communicating therewith, the combination of a pair of control valves communicating with said line at spaced terminals thereof, and a check-bleed valve associated with each control valve and in said line between both said associated control valve and said operating valve means and other control valve, each of said check-bleed valves including a valve body, a valve seat in said body, a piston in said body and reciprocable relative to said seat, spaced heads of different cross-sectional area on said piston and one seatable in said seat, yieldable means acting on said piston in a direction opposing a charge from the associated of said control valves for normally maintaining said one head in said seat and closing said checkbleed valve to a charge from the opposite of said control valves, said piston being displaceable to open said checkbleed valve by a charge from said adjacent control valve, and said heads when said check-bleed valve is open presenting to fluid in said line a surface area greater in said direction of action of said yieldable means than in the opposite direction for exertion by said fluid of a force opposing said yieldable means, said opposing force retarding closing of said check-bleed valve and enabling substantially the full charge from the adjacent control valve to bleed back through said check-bleed valve on seating of said adjacent control valve to vent said line.

5. In a piping arrangement having a fluid line and operating valve means communicating therewith, the combination of a control valve communicating with and selectively settable to charge or vent said line, a check-bleed valve in said line intermediate said control valve and said operating valve means, a valve member in said checkbleed valve openable only on charging of said line by said control valve, and means in said check-bleed valve responsive to residual pressure in said line on setting of said control valve to vent said line for retarding the closing of said valve member and enabling bleed-back therethrough of substantially the full charge from said control valve.

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